The role of glanders therapy as an alternative to test and slaughter policy was investigated in 13 draught equines (1 horse, 2 mares and 10 mules). The disease was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by isolation of Burkholderia mallei on blood agar and sterile potato slices. Mallein test was positive in 6 (46.15 %) of the 13 animals. All isolates from the 13 equines were sensitive to chloramphenicol, danofloxacin, norfloxacin and co-trimoxazole whereas penicillin and cephalexin were the least effective in vitro antibiotics. These animals were treated for 4 days with Ringer's-lactate-dextrose 500 ml + dimetyl-sulfoxide 60-80 ml intravenously and Inj. Norfloxacin 5% 35-50 ml intramuscularly (1st round of treatment). Five animals were treated again similarly (2nd round) after two weeks of the first round. All treated animals showed a dramatic improvement in the severity of the disease condition which lasted for 2-3 weeks after which the signs rebounded. Even the second round of treatment was met with the same fate. The treatment was not associated with any side-effect except in two cases which suffered injection site swelling. The possibility of a cure in clinical glanders using a longer course of treatment is proposed.

Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) residues (mg/L) were determined in the milk of cattle and goats. The milk samples of cattle from area 1 have higher levels of residues than area 2; Cd 0.089 +/- 0.002 vs. 0.062 +/- 0.01 Cr 1.14 +/- 0.046 vs. 0.995 +/- 0.017 Ni 23.38 +/- 0.564 vs. 21.407 +/- 0.275 Pb 21.781 +/- 0.172 vs. 15.958 +/- 1.00. The residual levels of Cd (0.084 +/- 0.003) and Pb (42.687 +/- 0.051) have been found higher in goat milk. The Ni residues in cattle milk (22.395 +/- 0.988) are higher than in goat milk (19.522 +/- 0.011) while residues of Cr are non significantly different in both species.

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the disposition kinetics and optimal dosages of ciprofloxacin in healthy domestic ruminant species including adult female buffalo, cow, sheep and goat. The drug was given as a single intramuscular dose of 5 mg/kg. The plasma concentrations of the drug were determined with HPLC and pharmacokinetic variables were determined. The biological half-life (t 1/2 ß) was longer in cows (3.25 ± 0.46 h) followed by intermediate values in buffaloes (3.05 ± 0.20 h) and sheep (2.93 ± 0.45 h) and shorter in goats (2.62 ± 0.39 h). The volume of distribution (V d ) in buffaloes was 1.09 ± 0.06 l/kg, cows 1.24 ± 0.16 l/kg, sheep 2.89 ± 0.30 l/kg and goats 3.76 ± 0.92 l/kg. Total body clearance (Cl B ) expressed in l/h/kg was minimum in buffaloes 0.25 ± 0.02 followed by values in cows 0.31 ± 0.02 and sheep 0.75 ± 0.04 and maximum in goats 1.09 ± 0.11.An optimal dosage regimen for 12-h interval consisted of 5.17, 5.62, 6.54 and 6.10 mg/kg body weight as priming and 4.84, 5.37, 6.26 and 5.91 mg/kg body weight as maintenance intramuscular dose in buffalo, cow, sheep and goat, respectively. The manufacturers of ciprofloxacin have claimed 5 mg/kg dose to be repeated after 24 h. However, the investigated dosage regimen may be repeated after 12 h to maintain MIC at the end of the dosage interval. Therefore, it is imperative that an optimal dosage regimen be based on the disposition kinetics data determined in the species and environment in which a drug is to be employed clinically.

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